UARS Update

In record numbers, they’re struggling to find work, shunning long-distance moves to live with mom and dad, delaying marriage and raising kids out of wedlock, if they’re becoming parents at all. The unemployment rate for them is the highest since World War II, and they risk living in poverty more than others – nearly 1 in 5.

You know, my grandparents, my dad, and yes, even I – made long distance moves to get work. Yes, I had to live with my family – as did Cruel Wife with hers after we were married – while I worked a state away and she finished up her degree. But when there was work, we damn well moved to get it.

Seriously? Shunning long-distance moves to live with mom and dad? My granddad moved from Arizona to Oregon for work. My dad was set to move from Oregon to California before he got called up to go to Germany for a tour. Jesus, you simpering wimps, grow some.

****

From a higher-up on the UARS foodchain came a link to UARS recently shot with a 14-inch telescope.

I’m kind of enjoying this stuff – knowing people who actually know people who know. One of the bosses’ babies is on UARS, the HRDI instrument. (pronounced “Hardey”)

I was listening to NPR (know thine enemy) a day or so ago when I recognized a voice of someone I knew. I said “Holy shit-sucking leeches!” and cranked the knob as high as it would go. It was Wib Skinner up at Space Physics Research Laboratory (UofM) talking about UARS. They asked him where it would come down and he said (rightfully so), “It can come down anywhere between plus or minus 57 degrees”. Yeps, that’s right. Moderate inclination orbit – meaning the angle relative to the equator and it is one of six orbital parameters that describe the motion of an object orbiting another body – means that as it moves relative to earth it goes up and down across the equator in a sine wave motion. They do that for coverage of more or less parts of the earth or body they orbit.

Messenger about Mercury is a high inclination orbit – 80 degrees. They want to cover as much as possible and yet focus on certain parts in certain ways.

So, bummer, eh? No chance to personally see UARS end in a blaze of glory while munching on a Taco Bell burrito or a bag of Doritos. Or Cheez-its™ and braunschweiger (my favorite snack that I only allow myself to have once a year, on Christmas Eve).

Here’s GM’s new press release based on the scary situation – spin it, guys… spin it for all you are worth.

New Terms & Conditions

The following statement can be attributed to Joanne Finnorn, Vice President, Subscriber Services

“OnStar has and always will give our customers the choice in how we use their data. We’ve also been very open with our customers about changes in services and privacy terms.

“Under our new Terms and Conditions, when a customer cancels service, we have informed customers that OnStar will maintain a two-way connection to their vehicle unless they ask us not to do so. In the future, this connection may provide us with the capability to alert vehicle occupants about severe weather conditions such as tornado warnings or mandatory evacuations. Another benefit for keeping this connection “open” could be to provide vehicle owners with any updated warranty data or recall issues.

[Or, it could be used TO TRACK YOU. – LK]

“Of course, if the customer requests us to turn off the two-way connection, we will do as we have always done, and that is honor customers’ requests.

[Unless we decide we want TO TRACK YOU. -LK]

“Our guiding practices regarding sharing our subscribers’ personal information have not changed. We are always very specific about with whom we share customers’ personal information, and how they will use it. We have never sold any personally identifiable information to any third party.

[But giving it away is possible because someone will always want TO TRACK YOU. -LK]

“Keeping the two-way connection open will also allow OnStar to capture general vehicle information that could be used in future product development.

[Or, it could be used TO TRACK YOU. – LK]

“We apologize for creating any confusion about our Terms and Conditions. We want to make sure we are as clear with our customers as possible, but it’s apparent that we have failed to do this. As always, we are listening to our subscribers’ feedback and we will continue to be open to their suggestions and concerns.”

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Do not believe those NASA quacks, you are in immanent danger of being hit by space stuff. You can ward it off by buying these crystal quantum magnets! Only one 1/4 oz gold coin cheap! Stock up and save!

I remember one of the OnStar commercials where a customer tells them his car has been stolen. OnStar contacts the police, tells them where the cars is then turns off the car and keeps the doors locked while the police surround it. Gave me the willies. If cellphones can be hacked remotely then so can OnStar. How long before carthieves are using OnStar to help steal your car.

It’s a crap shoot. I bought lottery tickets at the exact same moment (roughly) as it was due to come down. Last time I did that was… uh… six years ago? I am as loathe to buy tickets as I am to burn money. But Cruel Wife and the kids love it, so it’s worth the price.

My Personal “Things” – Don’t Peek

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